Sectioning Under Mental Health Act

tomtontom

RFMS wrote: »

Correct, the main reason, and the reason for going to the local police is because of the threatening behavior and pulling the knife on his wife (as per OP). He also has mh challenges which is why he needs help. According to the police in that country they would deport him on the basis of the knife incident, possibly after spending time in jail in that country. That's if he is found guilty.
The MH people I called in that country said they offer long term treatment to residents or nationals. That is all I was told.

They cannot deport on that basis, as already explained.

As an EU citizen he has a right to essential healthcare, in the same way he would if he broke his leg there.

Nicki wrote: »

Gosh. This is just like Minority Report!

Indeed, it is coming across as a work of fiction

Waves_and_Smiles

He shouldn't be deported for the knife incident if he has underlying mental health issues, I don't think at least. I suppose it depends on the country?.

As far as section here goes do not presume it would be for a long time. I have been sectioned (voluntarily each time with agreement with my consultants) on several occasions and it has never been for longer than 28 days and it certainly has ended before I am 'well' again. At the most it gets you over the period of being an immediate danger to yourself and others but then support is continued at home. I was told this is to avoid 'revolving door syndrome' where someone is taken to hospital and stops functioning under ordinary circumstances so finds themselves unable to cope with day to day life afterwards and ends up back in hospital again. It's actually quite difficult to remain sectioned over a long period of time these days. It is possible that the other country has the same procedure.

Good luck, I hope everyone involved gets the help that they need.

tomtontom

worried_and_scared wrote: »

He shouldn't be deported for the knife incident if he has underlying mental health issues, I don't think at least. I suppose it depends on the country?.

No, it does not depend on the country - this issue is governed by EU law which takes precedence over domestic law.

ripplyuk

RFMS wrote: »

The behaviors are as said: Extreme paranoia, obsessive compulsive habits, intrusive thoughts and generally abnormal behaviors.

ripplyuk - I do not know what it is like, but I want him to get assessed.

If someone had called a doctor on my behalf in this situation, I would comply with an assessment.

YOU might appreciate it in the same situation but you are not him. If he wants an assessment, he will ask for it.

None of the behaviours you describe above are any reason to section someone. As Nikki has explained, there has to be immediate risk to his life or someone else's and since you don't live with him, I would imagine you don't know if or when that may ever occur.

As for 'Generally abnormal behaviours'. We'd be sectioning an awful lot of people if that was enough to do it.

If your relative is as ill as you think, then he will always struggle with it. Even if you succeed in getting him sectioned, he will not be 'cured'. If you care about him, then you need to accept that. You will always be worried for him but it's better to be supportive if you can than thinking sectioning him will fix him.

Waves_and_Smiles

ripplyuk wrote: »

If your relative is as ill as you think, then he will always struggle with it. Even if you succeed in getting him sectioned, he will not be 'cured'. If you care about him, then you need to accept that. You will always be worried for him but it's better to be supportive if you can than thinking sectioning him will fix him.

I agree with this sadly. Sectioning doesn't do much other than remove one from the world for a time to regain ones faculties a little. The real treatment is afterwards back in day to day life with support and sometimes medication. After all, the ultimate goal is to enable someone to function in every day life, not within a protected hospital setting. It is a constant battle and one your relative may face for a long time. Of course you will worry but there is no point making yourself unwell over it. Be as supportive as you can but realise that there is a long road ahead and it is likely to be a bumpy one. Take care of yourself in the meantime.

tomtontom wrote: »

No, it does not depend on the country - this issue is governed by EU law which takes precedence over domestic law.

Ah, thanks for that. I have read a bit about it in other countries but I wasn't sure.

kezzygirl

I don';t know where people get their ideas from-as if detaining someone under the mental health act is as simple as clicking your fingers.

It isnt.

If he is a risk to himself or others(depending upon the context of course...you dont know the full details behind his 'attack' on his wife and it may well be it was a rational response, if for example he thought she was an alien trying to insert bugs into his head, thats a different story, he is obviously quite unwell)
he will certainly need an assessment, the police are able to remove people to a place of safety using section 136.

However, if he has capacity, he may be able to make the rational decision that he does not want help. that's what is key here-if he has capacity to make decisions for himself.

dunno about other countries though